Epistles

The Prince of this world wishes to tear me in[*](The temptations of the devil, and his own feelings) pieces, and to corrupt my mind towards God. Let none of you who are present help him. Be rather on my side, that is on God’s. Do not speak of Jesus Christ, and yet desire the world.

Let no envy dwell among you. Even though when I come I beseech you myself, do not be persuaded by me, but rather obey this, which I write to you: for in the midst of life I write to you desiring death. My lust has been crucified, and there is in me no fire of love for material things; but only water living and speaking in me, and saying to me from within, Come to the Father.

I have no pleasure in the food of corruption or in the delights of this life, I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David, and for drink I desire his blood, which is incorruptible love.[*](There is here perhaps a play on the words: the word translated love was also used either as a synonym for the Eucharist, or, as some think, as the name of a religious meal originally connected with the Eucharist.)